{"id":270376,"date":"2016-11-21T14:31:43","date_gmt":"2016-11-21T14:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=270376"},"modified":"2016-11-21T14:31:43","modified_gmt":"2016-11-21T14:31:43","slug":"ghana-eliminated-from-u-20-womens-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2016\/11\/ghana-eliminated-from-u-20-womens-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Ghana eliminated from U-20 Women\u2019s World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
USA were made to work overtime before earning a come-from-behind 1-1 draw against Ghana to ensure top spot in Group C.<\/p>\n
It was a hard-fought match with limited goal scoring opportunities at either end in a blustery Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.<\/p>\n
USA commenced the day in top spot and needed only a draw to guarantee progression, but a point would have left the door open for France or New Zealand to leapfrog them at the summit.<\/p>\n
As it panned out, France\u2019s 2-0 win saw the pair level at the top on points and goals only for USA to finish as group-winners on Fair Play criteria, having picked up one fewer yellow card.<\/p>\n
The goal scoring was compacted into two first-half minutes with Ghana breaking the deadlock on 20 minutes. Ernestina Abambila pushed a lobbed ball over the backline that seemed neither shot nor pass, but goalkeeper Casey Murphy could only fumble on to the frame of the goal and over the line.<\/p>\n
However, USA captain and attacking focal point Mallory Pugh again displayed her class with a smart equaliser. A driving run was followed by a perfect low shot for Pugh\u2019s second of the tournament.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the lively Ashley Sanchez pushed a shot just inches wide of the post, and could also have netted midway through the second half after ghosting in behind the Ghana backline.<\/p>\n
The best opening of the second half, however, fell to Ghana with seven minutes remaining, but Sandra Owusu-Ansah stabbed her close-range effort over from close range.
\n–<\/p>\n
Credit:FIFA.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
USA were made to work overtime before earning a come-from-behind 1-1 draw against Ghana to ensure top spot in Group C. It was a hard-fought match with limited goal scoring opportunities at either end in a blustery Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby. USA commenced the day in top spot and needed only a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":270377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[142],"tags":[12235,564,42,3],"yoast_head":"\n